Timberborn - Buyer's Guide

Rebuild a society of beavers in a post-apocalyptic world. A unique city-builder with challenging gameplay and a strong community.
Fan-art of Timberborn

‘Timberborn’ is a unique multiplayer sandbox game that challenges players to rebuild and manage an evolved society of beavers on Earth turned wasteland. Choose from the nature-friendly Folktails or industrious Iron Teeth factions, each offering distinct styles, buildings, and gameplay traits catered to your playstyle. Brace for recurring droughts and waves of toxic waste by strategically managing resources in wet, dry, and toxic seasons. Master water engineering by constructing dams and floodgates or reshaping the terrain using explosives in this Lumberpunk setting. Utilize wood as a key resource while scavenging for metal from old-world ruins to build advanced structures and mechanized bots.

Vertical architecture is essential, with players required to design multi-district cities by stacking lodges and workshops on top of each other amidst space constraints. Experience dynamic day and night cycles as you develop efficient production chains for your growing population while ensuring the well-being of individually simulated inhabitants through a balanced lifestyle.

The game’s map editor allows players to explore pre-made maps or create their own, sharing them with the community. Timberborn is an evolving project, continuously improving based on player feedback and providing new features as part of its Early Access phase.’

Should I play Timberborn in 2024?

The good

The overwhelming sentiment is clear: “Timberborn” has captured the hearts of gamers with its unique lumberpunk city-building mechanics featuring—you guessed it—beavers! 🦫 Many players have highlighted the constant improvements and updates from the developers, who are praised for their responsiveness and for implementing community suggestions. The game’s soothing vibes, combined with a need for critical systems thinking, have kept people engaged for countless hours.

Reviewers appreciate the polished art direction and the ability to build vertically, adding depth to the colony. The water mechanics, reminiscent of Dwarf Fortress, have also been a major talking point. Another recurring theme is how addictive the gameplay can be, with several players comparing it to classics like “Civ 3” in terms of the “just one more turn” urge.

The bad

However, no game is perfect. Some players have noted the lack of end-game content and challenges once the initial survival phase is over. The late-game experience can feel more like a city design game rather than a survival one, which might not be for everyone. Slow build times for large projects and a perceived lack of complexity in the endgame can make the experience feel somewhat drawn-out and aimless.

Verdict

Should you still buy or play “Timberborn” in 2024? Absolutely, yes! 🌲🛠 The overwhelmingly positive reviews speak for themselves. The game’s unique charm, constant updates, and deeply engaging mechanics make it a must-play for fans of the city-building genre. While there are some criticisms, they are relatively minor and often tied to personal preferences. As it stands, “Timberborn” offers a rich, rewarding, and ever-evolving gameplay experience that continues to satisfy its growing fanbase. So, grab your blueprints and get ready to build those dams! 🌊



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In-game Screenshot

Screenshot of Timberborn

Top image is not real in-game screenshots. Fan-art made by Gamer.se. Some game metadata is coming from RAWG